A Parametric Approach for the Stress Analysis of Orthogonally Stiffened Rectangular Plates

Abstract

This report describes a parametric approach for the stress analysis of orthogonally stiffened rectangular plates. The analysis assumes that the deflection of an orthogonally stiffened plate is approximated by a homogeneous orthotropic plate of a uniform thickness. Polynomial expressions for maximum deflection for two sets of boundary conditions (all edges clamped and two edges clamped–two edges simply supported) are presented in terms of plate geometry and loading (normal pressure and in-plane forces). A method for computing the stress is presented that permits stresses in the actual orthogonally stiffened plate (that generally does not have a uniform plate thickness) to be determined.